Labour will support plans to introduce 10,000 work experience opportunities for young people, despite accusations that its tax policies have destroyed jobs. Andy Burnham will join supermarket chain Sainsbury's to announce the new scheme, designed to create more opportunities for young people.
Critics have accused the Government of using the announcement as spin to replace the thousands of jobs lost since it took office. Businesses across the UK have seen a hiring slump, with reports suggesting up to 1,000 jobs have been lost each day since the election.
Scheme aims to help young people
More than a million people aged between 16 and 24 are not in employment, education or training, and the new scheme is intended to increase their opportunities. Youngsters on the scheme will get to visit the workplace, attend career sessions, and gain practical work experience. It is not clear in the Government's announcement whether participants will be paid, with the scheme set to start this October.
Helen Whately, a Conservative MP, welcomed the scheme but said what young people really want is jobs. She said: "No amount of training schemes can cover up the fact that Labour have destroyed job opportunities for young people with their jobs tax and extra red tape.
"That’s put the brakes on businesses hiring young people – giving us the highest youth unemployment in over a decade."
Burnham defends announcement
Labour increased National Insurance contributions made by employers, alongside several other taxes, including business rates, under chancellor Rachel Reeves. Yet Mr Burnham defended the news, saying it was "great to see Sainsbury’s stepping up with 10,000 opportunities to help young people build confidence, gain experience and get a foot in the door".
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, welcomed the scheme's focus on areas with a higher uptake of children on free school meals. He said: "I know from personal experience that work experience is often the first taste of the world of work for a young person, and everyone should be able to access placements, regardless of their background or circumstances.
"With around one in eight young people not in education, employment or training, I’ve made tackling youth unemployment a top priority by investing in skills training and mentoring.
"As one of the country’s largest employers, with hundreds of branches across London, it’s great to see Sainsbury’s stepping up and launching 10,000 work experience opportunities for young people."
